Cosmology: The Science of the Universe

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Cambridge University Press, 16. mar. 2000
Cosmology: The Science of the Universe is an introduction to past and present cosmological theory. For much of the world's history, cosmological thought was formulated in religious or philosophical language and was thus theological or metaphysical in nature. However, cosmological speculation and theory has now become a science in which the empirical discoveries of the astronomer, theoretical physicist, and biologist are woven into intricate models that attempt to account for the universe as a whole. Professor Harrison draws on the discoveries and speculations of these scientists to provide a comprehensive survey of man's current understanding of the universe and its history. Tracing the rise of the scientific method, the major aim of this book is to provide an elementary understanding of the physical universe of modern times. Thoroughly revised and updated, this second edition extends the much acclaimed first edition taking into account the many developments that have occurred.
 

Efni

What is cosmology?
13
The anthropometric universe
19
Projects
25
The Epicurean universe
33
Reflections
42
Cartesian and Newtonian world
49
Cosmology after Newton
66
The new astronomy
73
Projects
299
The three redshifts
306
Reflections
314
Projects
320
Expanding cosmic sphere
326
Why does Newtonian cosmology
332
The cosmic box
339
Where has all the energy gone?
348

Fall of the Victorian universe
80
Stars
87
Inside the stars
93
Birth of stars
100
Projects
110
Further reading
111
Radio galaxies and quasars
126
Perfect cosmological principle
141
Design argument
155
Space and time
169
Projects
184
Riemannian spaces
198
Reflections
214
Theory of general relativity
228
Projects
243
Superholes
257
Expansion of the universe
270
The expanding space paradigm
275
Measuring the expansion of
285
Reflections
292
The many universes
355
Oscillating universes
362
Observational cosmology
387
Is the universe open or closed?
403
The early universe
413
The first second
419
Grand unified era
427
Projects
435
The horizon riddle
441
The particle horizon
447
Reflections
454
Inflation
458
Projects
472
Reflections
486
The paradox resolved
499
Creation of the universe
515
Reflections
528
Intelligent life
542
Appendix Fundamental quantities
555
Höfundarréttur

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